Last Updated on July 20, 2020
Sony CX900: Broadcast-Quality HD Video
The CX900 handycam camcorder from Sony is a pure delight. From its lens to its sensor, this model offers only the best in full HD recording. Just imagine having broadcast-quality HD video from a device that fits snugly in your hand. That is exactly what the CX900 from Sony brings. The sensor is a back-illuminated 1.0 type sensor that is just superior and results in just superb quality. Other features of this model include: rich 50 Mbps XAVC S format, wide angle ZEISS lens and WiFi/NFC for easy sharing. This CX900 review will take a close look into what makes this model from Sony a special one to have.
- 1" Exmor R CMOS sensor with Direct Pixel...
- 14MP resolution video and 20MP still...
- Versatile shooting with XAVC-S, AVCHD...
Professional performance
Who doesn’t want a camera that gives a pro-style performance in a body that is small enough to hold? The compact body of the CX900 is great for those who want a handy device and at the same time, quality recording. This is what this model from Sony offers. The camera also features a back-illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R CMOS sensor which is just unbelievable when it comes to producing images with stunning quality. Not only that, who wouldn’t want a camera that can perform better than expected in low-light situations? Well, the CX900 has that feature down too. Lastly, the camera also supports background defocusing to really give your video that professional edge. We all like how blurred backgrounds and focus on the subject using DSLR cameras. Well, thanks to the defocusing feature of this model, you can do this on video too.
World-class video quality
In this CX900 review, a focus has already been made on how great the video is with this model from Sony. This section will pay attention to the components that allow this camera to take superb videos. • ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T*lens – With this 29mm wide angle lens, you can capture grand landscapes with ease. Not only that, this lens system also provides up to 12x optical zoom. • 1.0-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Sensor – This particular sensor on the CX900 has a light-receiving area that is 4.9 times larger than ½.88 type sensor. • New BIONZ X image processing engine – With this engine, you can capture more vivid and lifelike images. Plus, this also allows a higher resolution capability as well as 120 fps recording.
Intuitive controls
• Lens ring – allows smooth, natural adjustment of focusing or zooming no matter the mode selected through a convenient button. • 5.1ch Dolby surround sound – with this type of recording capability, you can record with professional-like sound quality. This allows you to record your movies with full potential and even draw viewers into the action. • Manual controls – located on the side of the body, these manual controls enable you to easily adjust ISO, aperture and speed. • Built-in neutral density filters – these options give you the freedom to control shutter speed and aperture so that you have more creative opportunities for your movies. • Tru-Finder OLED – allows you to see your shot more accurately even when you are under direct sunlight
Impressive close-ups
Thanks to the ZEISS lens, your photos and videos will turn out with great bokeh. Plus, the Clear Image Zoom of Sony allows incredible detail even at 12x zoom.
Wireless connectivity
You can connect wirelessly with your phone, tablet or TV thanks to the built-in WiFi and NFC in the device. With these, you can easily transfer videos and photos from your camera to your smartphone or tablet.
- 1" Exmor R CMOS sensor with Direct Pixel...
- 14MP resolution video and 20MP still...
- Versatile shooting with XAVC-S, AVCHD...
Recording flexibility
The CX900 can record in web-ready and professional quality simultaneously. This allows you to immediately share files through NFC/WiFi then save higher-resolution files for editing. You can also capture Full HD in AVHCD or XAVC S format.
Superb quality output
The CX900 can record Full HD video at 50 Mbps using the XAVC S codec, which is based on the XAVC professional format. With this capability, movie makes can reveal every detail in scenes even when panning the camera in a quick motion. Also, the 120 fps feature allows the capture of each moment for great slow-motion replays. Hopefully you got a feel of what the camera is like through this Cx900 review. The bottom line is, when you want a camcorder that can record in great broadcast-like quality, but comes in a handy form, the CX900 is one of the best options for you.
Sony CX900 Specification
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Software
- Operating System Compatibility : WINDOWS: Play Memories Home: Windows® XP SP3(32-bit version)/Windows Vista®* SP2/Windows® 7 SP1/Windows® 8/Windows® 8.1; Image Data Converter: Windows® XP SP3(32-bit version)/Windows Vista®* SP2/Windows® 7 SP1/Windows® 8; Remote Camera Control: Windows® XP SP3(32-bit version)/Windows Vista®* SP2/Windows® 7 SP1/Windows® 8/Windows® 8.1 MAC: Play Memories Home: Mac OS X v10.6 – v10.9; Remote Camera Control: Mac OS X v10.6 – v10.9
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Advanced Features
- Image Stabilization : Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization w/ Active mode (Wide to Tele)
- Wi-Fi : Built-In (Wi-Fi Compatible, IEEE 802.11b/g/n(2.4GHz band)
- NightShot® Infrared System : Yes
- CinemaTone Gamma/Color : Yes
- Intelligent Auto : Portrait / Baby / Walk / Tripod / Backlight / Landscape / Spotlight / Twilight / Macro / Low light / Auto Wind Noise Reduction
- x.v.Color™ : Yes
- Audio Level Display : Yes
- Assignable Dial : Yes( Exposure / AE Shift / WB Temp. / WB B-A / WB G-M Set)
- Face Detection : Yes
- Priority Setting (for Face Detection) : Auto/OFF
- Smile Shutter™ technology : Dual Capture / Always On / Off
- AGC Limit : Yes
- Airplane Mode : Yes
- Wi-Fi Functionality : Remote control with mobile device, send to smartphone, send to PC (with optional wi-fi accessory)
- Tracking Focus : Yes
- Premium Closer Voice : Yes
- Golf Shot : Yes [AVCHD only]
- My Voice Canceling : Yes
- S-Master : Yes
- Smooth Slow Rec : Yes [AVCHD only]
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Camera
- Camera Type : Prosumer HD Camcorder with 1″ sensor
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- Color : Black
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Convenience Features
- Manual / Auto Lens Cover : Lens Cap
- S/S & Zoom button on LCD : Yes (Touch Panel)
- Media/Battery Indicator : Yes(recordable time, free and used media space)/Yes(recordable time, remaining capacity)
- Still Image Playback Options : Slide Show
- Picture Effects : Yes
- Video Playback Options : Highlight Playback (AVDHD Movie Only); Highlight Scenario (Save/Playback/Erase); Hightlight BGM (Preinstalled 4 music files, Music transfer)
- Remote Control : Yes
- Self Timer : Yes
- Power Save Mode : Yes
- Red-Eye Reduction : Yes (On/Off)
- Date / Time Stamp : Yes (Rec Date and Time, Camera info)
- Erase/Protect : Yes / Yes
- Built-in USB Cable : Yes (USB Charge Available)
- Self Recording : Yes
- Multiple Language Display : English; Brazilian Portugese; Canadian French; Spanish
- Fader Effect(s) : White / Black
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Drive System
- Drive Mode : Photo Mode:Single-shot/Self-timer
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Exposure System
- Exposure Compensation : AE Shift(Dial/Touch Panel)
- Exposure Settings : Auto; Flexible Spot (Touch Panel); Manual (Dial / Menu)
- Metering Modes : Multi-segment / Spot
- Noise Reduction : Yes
- White Balance Mode : Auto / Onepush / Outdoor / Indoor / WB Temp
- Manual Iris Control : F2.8-F11
- Auto Iris Control : F2.8-F11
- Gain Control : Auto/Manual
- LOW LUX Mode : Yes
- Backlight Compensation : Yes (Auto)
- WB Shift : Yes(G7-M7 15steps, A7-B7 15steps)
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Focus Control
- Focus Features : Tracking Focus
- Manual Focus Assist : Magnified display for precise manual focus; Peaking Display, Tracking Focus
- Focus Area : Full range Focus / Spot Focus
- AF Modes : Auto / Manual (Touch Panel / Dial)
- Focus System : Contrast AF
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General
- Lifestyle : SEL-asset-424038
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Imaging Sensor
- Pixel Gross : Approx.20.9M pixels
- Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters
- Imaging Sensor : 1″ (13.2mm x 8.8mm) back-illuminated Exmor R® CMOS Sensor
- Processor : BIONZ® X image processor
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Interface
- NFC : Yes
- HDMI Terminal : Yes (HDMI micro)
- DC IN : Yes
- Memory Card Slot : SDXC Memory Card(Class 10) [XAVC S]; Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2);Memory Stick XC-HG Duo; Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2); SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card(Class 4 or Higher)
- HD Output : HDMI Out (micro)(supplied)
- Wi-Fi : Yes
- Accessory Shoe : Yes (Multi Interface Shoe)
- SD Output : Composite Video Out (AV CABLE (sold separately))
- PhotoTV HD : Yes
- Direct Copy : Yes [AVCHD only]
- USB Port(s) : TypeA (built-in) / USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage/MTP)
- BRAVIA® Sync™ : Yes
- Headphone Jack : Stereo Minijack
- Microphone Input : Stereo Minijack
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LCD Display
- LCD Type : 3.5″ Xtra Fine LCD™ display(921K) (16:9) touch screen
- Coverage : 100%
- Angle Adjustment : Opening Angle: max.90 deg., Turning Angle: max.270 deg.
- Brightness Control : Yes (Menu)
- Grid Display : Grid Line
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Optics/Lens
- Optical Zoom : 12x
- Direct Manual Focus : Yes
- Lens Stabilization : Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization w/ Active mode (Wide to Tele)
- Minimum Focus Distance : Approx.1cm(Wide),Approx.100cm(Tele)
- Lens Type : Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T*
- Aperture : F2.8-F4.5
- Aperture Blade : 7 blades
- Digital Zoom : 160x
- Filter Diameter : 62mm
- ND Filter : OFF, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64
- Clear Image Zoom : 24x
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Power
- Battery Type : InfoLITHIUM with AccuPower Meter System (V Series)
- Power Requirements : 6.8V/7.2V (battery pack); 5.0V (AC Adapter)
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Recording
- Video Resolution : XAVC-S HD : 1920x1080/60P, 30P, 24P;AVCHD:1920x1080/60p(PS),24p(FX,FH),60i(FX,FH), 1440x1080/60i(HQ,LP); MP4: 1280x720 30p
- Audio Format : MPEG-4 Linear PCM 2ch(48kHz/16bit) [XAVC S 4K only]; Dolby Digital 5.1ch, Dolby Digital 5.1Creator [AVCHD only]; Dolby Digital 2ch Stereo, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator [AVCHD only]
- Video Mode : XAVC-S: MPEG4-AVC/H264; AVCHD ver.2.0 compatible:MPEG4-AVC/H.264; MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
- Still Image Size 16:9 : Movie Mode: 20.0 megapixels 16:9 (5024 x 2824); Photo Mode: 20.0 megapixels 16:9 (5024 x 28242)
- Still Image Mode : JPEG
- Media Type : SDXC Memory Card(Class 10) [XAVC S]; Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2);Memory Stick XC-HG Duo; Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2); SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card(Class 4 or Higher)
- Still Image Max Effective Resolution : 20.0 megapixels
- Still Image Size 4:3 : Photo Mode: 15.0 megapixels 4:3 (4464 x 3352)
- Video Actual (Pixel) : Approx.14.2M pixels(16:9)
- Video Signal : 4K (UHDTV), HDTV, NTSC color, EIA standards
- Microphone/Speaker : Built-in Zoom Microphone; Monoroal Speaker
- Photo Capture from Movie : 2.1megapixels16:9 (1920×1080)
- Dual Record : Yes
- Mic Level Control : Yes (31steps)
- Still Image File Format : DCF Ver.2.0 compatible, Exif Ver.2.3 compatible, MPF Baseline compatible
- Wind Noise Reduction : Yes (On/off)
- Dual Video Recording : Yes
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Viewfinder
- Field of View : 1
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Weights and Measurements
- Dimensions (Approx.) : Approx.3 1/4inch x 3 3/8inch x 7 3/4inch (Approx.81mm x 83.5mm x 196.5mm) with NP-FV50 supplied battery
- Weight (Approx.) : Approx.1lb 11oz (approx. Approx.790g) unit only; Approx. 1lb 14oz (870g) with NP-FV50 supplied battery
Sony CX900 Test Footage
Low Light Test
Unboxing the Sony X900
Sony X900 Customer Reviews
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